The 2022 Game Awards will be remembered for celebrating outstanding achievements in gaming, but also for one bizarre moment that lit up the internet. That was when 19-year-old Matan Even suddenly seized the microphone and gave an absurd shoutout to "Reformed Orthodox Rabbi Bill Clinton." As security whisked him off stage, the internet erupted trying to figure out just who this random kid was.
From Obscurity to Notoriety: Introducing Matan Even
Prior to his Game Awards stunt, Matan Even was a fairly obscure online figure. He began gaining attention in 2019, at age 16, for posting raw footage on YouTube exposing police brutality against Hong Kong protestors.
Matan was born in LA in 2003 and raised in a Jewish family. He attended a private Jewish high school where he was described by classmates as intelligent but provocative. During the Hong Kong protests in 2019, Even traveled there extensively and documented the intense clashes between protestors and police.
On his YouTube channel, Matan Even racked up over 56 videos showing protesters being beaten, shot, and arrested. His videos provided an unfiltered view compared to mainstream media coverage at a time when Hong Kong residents were desperate for international awareness.
By early 2020 though, as the protests died down, Matan went inactive on YouTube. He had managed to gain over 37k subscribers during his brief period of prolifically covering the Hong Kong crisis firsthand.
A Knack for Dramatic Publicity Stunts
The Game Awards was hardly Matan‘s first stage for generating viral attention. He gained notoriety for boldly executing various publicity stunts over the years:
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2019 NBA Game – Even snuck into view of broadcast cameras and revealed a "Stand with Hong Kong" t-shirt, gaining international visibility.
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2019 BlizzCon – At a panel hosted by gaming company Blizzard, Matan interrupted by yelling "Free Hong Kong!" in reference to Blizzard‘s ban of a gamer who supported HK protestors.
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LA Clippers Game – During a game, Matan ran onto the court shouting "Stand up for human rights!" before being escorted out by security.
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InfoWars Appearance – Matan appeared on the notorious far-right conspiracy show hosted by Alex Jones to discuss Hong Kong politics.
Clearly Matan had a knack for executing attention-grabbing stunts even before his Game Awards antics. But what motivates him?
Motivations: Passionate Activist or Troll Seeking Fame?
Some view Matan as a passionate human rights advocate using stunts to raise awareness. Others see him as an internet troll motivated by seeking fame and laughs. So which is it?
There are elements of truth to both perspectives. On one hand, Matan has consistently used his stunts to highlight issues like Hong Kong‘s fight for freedom. His YouTube videos provided raw, powerful footage exposing the struggles of Hong Kong residents that mainstream media was missing. This hints at a genuine dedication to the cause.
However, the eccentric Bill Clinton reference at the Game Awards seems to reveal a mischievous streak in Matan as well. Some interpret the bizarre moment as satire mocking the self-important speeches often seen at awards shows. The stunt garnered Matan intense internet fame – perhaps his intention all along.
Ultimately, Matan Evan is a complex character. He exhibits both a stubborn resolve to spotlight human rights issues and a trollish humor that knows how to orchestrate an unforgettable viral moment.
By the Numbers: Matan‘s Social Media and YouTube Stats
Beyond his stunts, Matan has maintained an active presence on major social media platforms:
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YouTube – 37,000+ subscribers, 285,000 views. His Hong Kong protest videos racked up the most views.
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Twitter – 25,000+ followers. He tweeted cryptically about more info coming soon after his Game Awards stunt.
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TikTok – Has two alternate accounts, where he posts political commentary and trolls others during livestreams.
The raw stats indicate Matan has built a respectable audience on social media. While not massive, his followers are highly engaged – as seen by the viral attention to his Game Awards interruption. For an activist, social media offers a powerful modern platform to spread a message.
Final Thoughts: Unforgettable Activist or Simple Prankster?
In the end, the brief public glimpse we‘ve seen of Matan Even provides more questions than answers. His passions and motivations remain complex and murky. But Even has clearly honed the ability to capture attention, for better or worse.
The Game Awards stunt may fade into a mere viral footnote. Or Matan may harness the momentum to highlight issues important to him on a bigger stage. But regardless of where his antics lead, Matan Even pulled off one of the most surreal, meme-worthy public spectacles of recent memory.
